Flooding closes parts of National Cycle Network in Cumbria
Issued on: Monday 23 November, 2009
Damage caused by heavy rain in the north of England has made parts of the National Cycle network across Cumbria impassable, cyclists and walkers are being warned.
In Cockermouth, Sustrans has advised people to avoid NCN Route 71, the incredibly popular C2C path, due to an unsafe town centre bridge and a collapsed bridge at Low Lorton.
The Workington start of C2C is also closed, with no bridge crossings across the River Derwent expected for at least ten weeks, and there are further closures between Keswick and Bassenthwaite due to a collapsed bridge.
Meanwhile, Hadrian's Cycleway - NCN Route 72 - is also impassable at Workington across the River Derwent.
Nikki Wingfield, Sustrans Area Manager in Cumbria, said; 'The advice we are giving those who are keen to tackle either of these routes in the coming weeks is to start on the east side of Keswick to avoid the closures for the C2C route, and to bypass Workington by train for the Hadrian's Cycleway, starting further up the route at Maryport or Silloth.
'We are in the process of assessing the flooded routes and, once we know the scale of the damage, we can begin the restoration process and make temporary diversions where appropriate.'
For additional information and closure details, email Nikki Wingfield nikki.wingfield@sustrans.org.uk or find out more at the Hadrian's Cycleway and C2C Guide websites.
A map of known flood disruption is available to download (pdf).
Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk
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NOTES
1. Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK's transport challenges.
2. Sustrans' flagship project, the National Cycle Network, is now around 12,000 miles and runs within one mile of 55 per cent of the UK population. During 2008 a total of 386 million trips were made on the Network. There are around 2,500 volunteer rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network.
3. Throughout 2009 Sustrans is encouraging more women to cycle. Our website www.bikebelles.org.uk has advice for women on what to wear, where to go, how to get started and a specially recruited women's panel are sharing ideas and experiences. Sustrans will also be organising female-friendly cycle rides in the summer. The thoughts and concerns of women, gathered throughout the year, will be used to inform our approach to UK governments with proposals on how to help more women get out and about on bikes, to the benefit of their health, the environment and our economy.